The Stranger #5

             During the time lapse between when Meursault is set to receive the death penalty and his sentence is assigned, Meursault states that “there were two other things I was always thinking of: the dawn and my appeal” (112). Though his focus on the dawn seems pretty in line with Meursault’s character that has been portrayed throughout the novel, his focus on the appeal is surprising. For the first time it appears the Meursault actually cares about a decision. He is weighing the pros and cons of each decision in the appeal and having general feelings about each direction the case could go in. He tries to pretend that he has accepted his looming death, saying “whether it was now or twenty years from now, I would still be the one dying” (114). He tries to argue that his forthcoming death does not scare him at all. However in considering the alternate decision in the appeal that the court would decide to set him free, he states, “I would somehow have to cool the hot blood that would suddenly surge through my body and sting my eyes with a delirious joy” (114). This burst of emotion is something completely uncharacteristic of Meursault. It is only in death that he is able to finally show some life. It takes death to finally crack him out of his absurdist shell.